ABSTRACT
In 1989–90, the countries of East-Central Europe once again embarked on the path of democratic transformation. In light of this, they rewrote their policies on minorities. After the 1989 regime change the Hungarian state recognized national identity as an individual choice. Thus, in theory, the individual was free to choose assimilation or opt for minority status, free of coercion. In practice, even in a democratic state with the rule of law, the degree to which the state intervenes in these processes, the possibility of obligation and the material tools associated with its preferences bear some impact on possible choices. As Charles Taylor stated: “Nonrecognition or misrecognition can inflict harm, can be a form of oppression, imprisoning someone in a false, distorted and reduced mode of being.” 1 Following the title of the Charles Taylor article cited above, state policy ensuring minority status, or in better cases Roma policy ensuring minority status and minority rights, were called the coefficients of “the struggle for recognition” by Júlia Szalai. The term “the politics of recognition” applies aptly to Hungary. 2 Roma movements in Hungary were able to reflect not only on domestic phenomena after the fall of the Iron Curtain, but since the 1970s they were also able to take part in the emerging Roma international movement, which strove to unify Roma communities from different countries on a national basis by creating a common culture.
